autogiro

American  

[aw-tuh-jahy-roh] / ˌɔ təˈdʒaɪ roʊ /

Or autogyro

noun

plural

autogiros

1. an aircraft with an unpowered, horizontally rotating propeller on a shaft above the fuselage that provides lift for the machine, with forward propulsion being provided by a conventional propeller: superseded in most applications by the helicopter.

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autogiro British  

/ ˌɔːtəʊˈdʒaɪrəʊ /

noun

1. Also called: gyroplane.  a self-propelled aircraft supported in flight mainly by unpowered rotating horizontal blades Compare helicopter

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Etymology

Origin of autogiro

First recorded in 1920–25; formerly a trademark

Example Sentences

Stuffed with sumo wrestling; trap doors; an autogiro equipped with flamethrowers and missiles; a piranha pool; and, of course, a rocket base hidden inside a volcano, “You Only Live Twice” wasn’t exactly an actor’s breakthrough.

From New York Times • Oct. 31, 2020

In fuselage, tail structure, landing gear and propelling motor the autogiro is a typical airplane.

From Time Magazine Archive

Another guest, Charles T. Otto, offered to fly him and a girl friend back across Lake Michigan's tip to Chicago in an autogiro.

From Time Magazine Archive

When Inventor Edison saw and applauded the Pitcairn-Cierva autogiro at Newark last September many guessed, because it was only his second visit to any airport, that he had little knowledge of aeronautics.

From Time Magazine Archive

The Bureau of Air Commerce showed its Pitcairn readable autogiro.

From Time Magazine Archive

Related Words

• chopper